A father has nominated a Whitley school for a Pride of Reading Award , describing finding a place there for his son, who is on the autistic spectrum, like “winning the lottery”.

Ian Hodge, 37, put forward The Ark ASD Resource at Christ the King Catholic Primary as School of Year, saying: “When main stream education just can't cope and your child is constantly being excluded and you have nowhere to turn.

"I can honestly say that Mr Cosgrove, the headmaster, and his team in the Ark changed our lives when they took in Max."

And describing the head of the Ark team Rachel Tetchner as “an angel”, he added: “The head of the unit and her staff are fantastic - they really do go above and beyond, and their knowledge and patience on complex behaviours is incredible.

"It's like having an angel to help you"

“She [Mrs Tetchner] fights for her kids in the unit, and when they're under her wing it's like suddenly having someone on your side who cares.

"It's like having an angel to help you.

“Max’s previous school said that there was no way that he would ever be able to do SATs but he’s just completed all of them and supposedly has done quite well.

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On being told of his school’s nomination, headteacher John Cosgrove said: "I believe this is the third time that one of our parents has nominated The Ark for a Pride of Reading Award, and we are both humbled and very grateful for the parents’ unstinting support for what we do.

“Children with autism may be excluded from school because of disruptive behaviour.

"But the condition that inhibits communication and emotional understanding is to blame, and these ‘lost sheep’ can be found.

“We try to give the children routine and to help them enjoy success. As much as possible they take part in the normal life of the school.”

Christ the King is the only school in Reading borough to have such a resource.

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The ARK opened in 2011 after a plea from the council in 2009 to all Reading primary schools asking if any would consider hosting an ASD Resource.

“Today we have 21 places and still we are turning children away: the need is huge,” said Mr Cosgrove.

"There is nothing more rewarding than being able to make a difference and improve a young person’s life chances."

“This is my biggest frustration. I hate turning children away, but we simply don’t have the capacity to offer places to all who apply.

Max Hodge, 11, on his first day at Christ the King. (Image: UGC TMS)

“What I am most proud of is the fact that over the whole eight years since 2009, when the resource was first mooted, not one single parent or pupil at Christ the King has ever expressed any negative feelings towards The Ark or any of its pupils.

“The entire community is amazingly warm-hearted and generous in spirit, but there is more to this acceptance: our parents understand that hosting The Ark is good for all our children.